We like BoatUS here in Florida but the quality of service varies by area. The insurance does not only cover groundings, they will come out an jump start your engine, they will bring a small amount of fuel if needed, some boats have divers which will clear a fouled prop, If unable to make headway because of sustained weather or mechanical failure they will come out and tow you. You are not only covered on your boat but any other boat that you may be using. Unlimited Towing Coverage is the way to go for peace of mind.
Boat US vs Sea Tow
- Thread starter Roger Long
- Start date
- Status
Here in Charlotte Harbor Sea Tow beats the pants off Boat US, but as we plan to go north and spend 4 months exploring The Chesapeake, we switched to Boat US. In the 90's when we lived aboard, they had better coverage.
Both run $125-$150 per year for "unlimited" towing. Both calculate charges at several hundred dollars per hour from the time they leave the dock, so in our mind "unlimited" coverage is the only way to go.
Both run $125-$150 per year for "unlimited" towing. Both calculate charges at several hundred dollars per hour from the time they leave the dock, so in our mind "unlimited" coverage is the only way to go.
I have no experience with Sea Tow, but Boat US is both my insurance company and unlimited tow. I have used them twice on the water, one grounding and once for engine trouble to get me up the river to the marina. I have also used them once for trailering insurance when my Catalina 22 trailer threw a bearing. All three experiences were extremely customer friendly. Between the coverages I have with them, anything that happens is covered with no hidden charges.
Rest assured Roger, on your trip down the ICW you Will run aground, probably in soft mud. In the Albemarle Sound, Pamlico Sound, Pamlico and Neuse Rivers and tributary creeks there is little to no tide range. Fluctuations in water level are dependent on wind direction. Cuts from one creek to another are generally thru harder ground and less prone to shoaling. From Beaufort/Moorehead City NC on you will again encounter tides, ranging from a couple feet at Moorehead City to as much as nine feet at Beaufort SC.
You will probably have the greatest pucker factor as you go through the "rock pile" near Myrtle Beach.
Crossing inlets exposes you to the greatest probability of striking a shoal, most likely sand.
You can find nearly new updates on problem areas on web sites such as Claibourne Young's "Salty Southeast" Cruiser's Net. Also consider getting on the distribution list of LNM's from USCG 5th and 7th Districts.
Southbound we encountered no problems, Oriental NC to Ft.Lauderdale.
Northbound we bumped crossing Matanzas Inlet, St.Augustine Inlet, Lockwood's Folly, and Sneed's Ferry, none of which required any assistance getting off, but Boat US Unlimited was available if it had been needed.
You will probably have the greatest pucker factor as you go through the "rock pile" near Myrtle Beach.
Crossing inlets exposes you to the greatest probability of striking a shoal, most likely sand.
You can find nearly new updates on problem areas on web sites such as Claibourne Young's "Salty Southeast" Cruiser's Net. Also consider getting on the distribution list of LNM's from USCG 5th and 7th Districts.
Southbound we encountered no problems, Oriental NC to Ft.Lauderdale.
Northbound we bumped crossing Matanzas Inlet, St.Augustine Inlet, Lockwood's Folly, and Sneed's Ferry, none of which required any assistance getting off, but Boat US Unlimited was available if it had been needed.
Boat U.S. is better!
I can only speak to south Florida, but SeaTow operates like your average land-based tow truck company. Speaking from experience in soft grounding, they'll damage your boat, and charge you double what they say on the phone... double. Our boat is docked three slips from their fleet and no one in the marina is friends with a single one of their employees. I cannot let my wife comment on this topic or I'll be banned from posting. Needless to say, we carry unlimited coverage with Boat U.S. and are very content.
I can only speak to south Florida, but SeaTow operates like your average land-based tow truck company. Speaking from experience in soft grounding, they'll damage your boat, and charge you double what they say on the phone... double. Our boat is docked three slips from their fleet and no one in the marina is friends with a single one of their employees. I cannot let my wife comment on this topic or I'll be banned from posting. Needless to say, we carry unlimited coverage with Boat U.S. and are very content.
I have heard the same thing. I had Seatow many years ago but changed to TowBoatUS after Seatow refused to tow a friend stuck in the mud in the Chesapeake saying it was a "hard grounding". I think the difference is in the way Seatow and BoatsUS compensate their franchisees. Apparently the compensation structure does not encourage Seatow franchisees to actually tow boats! I may be wrong and hope someone who knows how they're compensated will chime in.
I've had Sea Tow for 8 years but no longer. They left me stuck in a tight situation last winter in the Keys - the guy didn't want to come ten miles downwind in rough weather to tow me. Meanwhile, 50 yards off my bow are two Boat US towboats, who came 10 miles UPWIND for their client.
Guess who I'm going with this year?
Guess who I'm going with this year?
Sea Tow vs Tow Boat
I crewed for Tow Boat a couple a few years ago. Tow Boat US crews get paid when they actually go out and tow, jump, or bring you gas. the Sea Tow guys only make money on memberships. So guess who is going to be agresive about signing you up and who will be agresive about coming out to assist? We ran aground south of Naples called Sea Tow because that was the card on top in the wallet they said high tide was in four hours and if we were still there they would come to get us. Tow Boat boat heard the call on the radio came by to check and see if Sea Tow was on the way they were not he called it in hooked up and drug us off long before high tide came along.
Some places do not have both so if you only buy one...
I crewed for Tow Boat a couple a few years ago. Tow Boat US crews get paid when they actually go out and tow, jump, or bring you gas. the Sea Tow guys only make money on memberships. So guess who is going to be agresive about signing you up and who will be agresive about coming out to assist? We ran aground south of Naples called Sea Tow because that was the card on top in the wallet they said high tide was in four hours and if we were still there they would come to get us. Tow Boat boat heard the call on the radio came by to check and see if Sea Tow was on the way they were not he called it in hooked up and drug us off long before high tide came along.
Some places do not have both so if you only buy one...
I've had two minor experiences with BoatUS. I have their insurance and unlimited towing. I recently had a fuel problem; rather than troubleshoot in rough conditions I called TowBoat US. They were there quickly, the operator was professional and pleasant and knew his business.
We also used the insurance ahead of Irene. Their insurance pays half the haul and launch and it doesn't count as a "claim". We had a check in two weeks.
This year was the first I've used either service and I've got to say I'm happy with their customer service.
Jim
We also used the insurance ahead of Irene. Their insurance pays half the haul and launch and it doesn't count as a "claim". We had a check in two weeks.
This year was the first I've used either service and I've got to say I'm happy with their customer service.
Jim
Another poster said it, and I'll repeat it - Sea Tow franchises make the bulk of their money from selling memberships, Tow Boat US guys get theirs from going out and doing what you paid them to do - getting your sorry butt out of difficulty.
Boat US for me all the way from here on in after my little incident with Sea Tow's less than adequate service when I needed them one dark and stormy night...
Give Me a Break!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3pAZojijgc
This guy needs to seriously rethink his advertising & marketing plan!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3pAZojijgc
I've had TowBoatUS for about 3 years but fortunately have not had to use them yet. I think the piece of mind of having it is well worth 130 bucks a year.
NotCook
.
- Dec 29, 2008
- 805
- Status